The annual conference of the Association of Security Consultants, Consec, cannot physically go ahead as it usually does, on the first Thursday in October in London, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. But you can still attend it, as a virtual event.
An online event is running on Thursday, October 8, to be chaired as last year by Joe Connell, chairman of the ASC; and Bill Butler, former chief executive of the Security Industry Authority (SIA), the UK sector regulator.
After those two open the day at 10am, the terrorist and extremist threat landscape will be the topic for Deputy Assistant Commissioner Dean Haydon, Senior National Coordinator for UK Counter Terrorism Policing. The consultant Ian Tunnicliffe will go over hostile inter-state threats during and after the pandemic; and carrying on the morning’s theme and closing the conference, John Frost, Head of Business Continuity, Marks & Spencer, will talk on resilience.
Joe Connell said: “The sudden and unpredicted coronavirus global pandemic is already having a major impact on existing complex domestic and international security threats. With public sector finances coming under immense pressure to tackle the pandemic, reduced budgets for protective security are likely to become the norm.
“It is extremely important that we share with delegates information about the current threats and risks and how these can be managed and mitigated.
“Although this year’s conference will be delivered on-line, it takes nothing away from the importance of sharing the latest intelligence, knowledge and best practice to keep people safe and protect organisations from harm.”
“Shrinking private sector economies, changing working practices, the threat of mass unemployment, a lack of public compliance and existing community tensions resurfacing, present enhanced opportunities for pandemic-inspired and facilitated crime.
“We are only too aware that those intent on terrorist and extremist activities will fill any available void in governance at both a domestic and international level to further their own aims and agenda.
“Together with complex international rivalries by aggressive and rogue states ready and able to fuel discontent and exploit vulnerabilities through disinformation and other malicious clandestine activities, the challenge for businesses and organisations has never been greater.”
The virtual conference is due to finish at 1pm, much earlier than the usual physical event which winds up by mid to late afternoon, in time for everyone to escape the M25 traffic; but the virtual exhibition space will stay open until later than usual, to 6pm. Like virtual events generally, it looks like being a crisper version of the real thing, with (like so much in life) pros and cons; while you don’t get the personal touch (literally!?), you are spared the travel, and you stand to get the same authoritative, strategic risk and security management briefings; although you have to find your own lunch.
Register to attend at https://www.consec.online/.
Pictured; Consec 2015.
